School’s classroom marquees to be replaced after concrete crisis

Students are set to move out of marquee classrooms after almost three years of being taught in tents.

A two-storey L-shaped building with 24 temporary classrooms, seminar rooms, offices and toilets are being built at Clevedon School.

Pupils have been taught in the marquees since 2023, when the discovery of high alumina cement concrete (HACC) in the site’s large beams caused 22 classrooms to shut.

Jim Smith, the secondary school’s head teacher, said: “The new facilities will be a much needed boost to the school community that has coped so well in the emergency accommodation, which in the immediate discovery of HACC, meant we were able to keep all students in school.”

HACC is a weakness in concrete that can lead to sudden and catastrophic collapse. It was found, along with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, in scores of school across England in 2022 to 2023.

Clevedon School’s enabling works, which include access, safety fencing and welfare for the temporary learning spaces, began on Monday.

It is hoped the new classrooms will open in time for the next academic year, which begins in September.

In addition to the temporary rooms, and as part of the same development, a new athletics track and jump pit will be constructed on the field.

Chris Millard, head coach of North Somerset Athletics Club who used the school’s track, said: “We are delighted to be offered brand new facilities as part of the school redevelopment programme.”

He added that the new facilities will “secure the future” of the club at Clevedon School and provide them with “the very best training opportunities” for the athletes.

The new learning spaces, toilets and offices will be on site for the duration of the redevelopment while a permanent solution for the school is decided.